Thomas Jefferson.
Founding Father, U.S. president from 1801 to 1809 (1743–1826)

Study Strengthens Evidence Jefferson Fathered Hemings Children
DNA recovered from Thomas Jefferson’s hair and compared with descendants of Sally Hemings provides strong evidence that Jefferson fathered at least some of her children, rather than one of his male relatives. The findings come from a decade-long study published as a preprint that has not yet been peer-reviewed.
Science · 11 sources · Oct 1, 2026Read itThe journal
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About Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father and the third president of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. A prolific writer and philosopher, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. His political philosophy formed the basis for Jeffersonian democracy, which dominated early American politics alongside federalism. Jefferson remains celebrated as an icon of American political values, but is also controversial for being a lifelong slave owner.
Everything about Thomas Jefferson →- Occupation
- teacher, cryptographer, architect, lawyer
- Position held
- Vice President of the United States, United States Secretary of State, United States Ambassador to France, Governor of Virginia
- Citizenship
- United States
- Born
- April 13, 1743, April 2, 1743
- Died
- July 4, 1826

